Optima Battery Part # - 98 vette - help
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
That model works for all C5s, regardless of year.
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I ran a 34/78 in my '00. My '03 has a 75/35 in it.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Murfreesboro TN
I have the exact same battery in my 99 Coupe.
I followed Mr Bill's advice and have no issues, my car is always ready to roll and when it sits for more than a few days the CTEK MULTI US 3300 battery tender keeps the battery in tip top shape.
Matches the red exterior nicely too!
I have new wires and battery cables to install soon, please excuse the old ones...
Last edited by TN Vette; Jun 20, 2010 at 12:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '13
I just bought a 1000cca Red Top Group 78. Just a side terminal, no top terminals. Advance Discount and after a whining discount it was $161.99 Sams sells the 800cca for $135.
I drive my car several times a week so it doesn't need a maintainer. If you drive a garage queen an Optima really isn't for you unless you use a maintainer The deep cycle yellow tops will do better in garage queen applications.
I drive my car several times a week so it doesn't need a maintainer. If you drive a garage queen an Optima really isn't for you unless you use a maintainer The deep cycle yellow tops will do better in garage queen applications.
Last edited by Camjamsdad; Jun 20, 2010 at 01:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
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I think they are way over priced. Im almost sure the top end one from Napa has more CCA than any optimum, but don't quote me. But for $100.00 less ill stick with the one I got.
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From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
I bought an Optima red top for my 98 back around 2000-2001. Never a problem. I've let it run stone dead during the winter several times, charged it back up, and it was fine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.
If I recall, I had to modify the original holddown to fit the countour of the Optima. Simple job.
If I recall, I had to modify the original holddown to fit the countour of the Optima. Simple job.
Melting Slicks
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I bought an Optima red top for my 98 back around 2000-2001. Never a problem. I've let it run stone dead during the winter several times, charged it back up, and it was fine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.
If I recall, I had to modify the original holddown to fit the countour of the Optima. Simple job.
If I recall, I had to modify the original holddown to fit the countour of the Optima. Simple job.
Optimas are made by Interstate for those who are interested.
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/home.php
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/publi...ns/Brands.html
The 75/35 OPTIMA (COSTCO) currently in my '04 Z16 is date coded 06/06. It's maintained with a BATTERY TENDER PLUS by DELTRON CORP. The 75/35 OPTIMA in my wife's daily driver is date coded 03/04. Neither show any signs of giving up. In the past I had an OPTIMA 75/35 in a modified tri five CHEVY. It was seven years old when I sold the car and two years later was still being used by the new owner. I've never had an OPTIMA fail.
For what it's worth, I've been using them prior to the time that the public was even able to buy them. My employer was chosen to test the OPTIMA batteries in the AZ summer, while a similar employer in CO was chosen to test them in CO winters. I know that none failed in the AZ tests because I monitored the results out of personal curiosity. Both the AZ and CO fleet vehicles were equipped with a lot of electronics to maintain. Batteries typically last about three years in AZ temperatures.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jun 22, 2010 at 05:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I'm not doubting your word. When you buy a Corvette, it might have a dealers logo emblems/decals/carpet protection, etc on it, but we know it's manufactured by GM.
E-mail: info@optimabatteries.com
Toll Free: 888-8OPTIMA (888-867-8462)
Fax: 414-524-3210
I just called OPTIMA tech "Adam", at OPTIMA BATTERIES. He said JOHNSON CONTROLS is the manufacturer of the OPTIMA brand. He said JOHNSON CONTROLS manufactures the majority of batteries for distribution by other companies. He wasn't certain, but he thought JOHNSON CONTROLS also owns part of INTERSTATE BATTERIES, which would make business sense in that regard.
INTERSTATE BATTERIES is one of the largest distributors of OPTIMA products. That's why their packaging is on the OPTIMA battery sold by SAM'S CLUB. That should clarify the confusion.
I doubt that INTERSTATE BATTERY is a manufacturer of any of their products, anymore than WALMART/SAM'S CLUB is a manufacturer of anything they sell.
FWIW, to the original poster. If you call the phone number above and follow the phone prompts, they will provide you with information about the OPTIMA battery product line, including recharging a discharged OPTIMA, sources to purchase from, and which battery will fit your specific application (red, blue or yellow).
E-mail: info@optimabatteries.com
Toll Free: 888-8OPTIMA (888-867-8462)
Fax: 414-524-3210
I just called OPTIMA tech "Adam", at OPTIMA BATTERIES. He said JOHNSON CONTROLS is the manufacturer of the OPTIMA brand. He said JOHNSON CONTROLS manufactures the majority of batteries for distribution by other companies. He wasn't certain, but he thought JOHNSON CONTROLS also owns part of INTERSTATE BATTERIES, which would make business sense in that regard.
INTERSTATE BATTERIES is one of the largest distributors of OPTIMA products. That's why their packaging is on the OPTIMA battery sold by SAM'S CLUB. That should clarify the confusion.
I doubt that INTERSTATE BATTERY is a manufacturer of any of their products, anymore than WALMART/SAM'S CLUB is a manufacturer of anything they sell.
FWIW, to the original poster. If you call the phone number above and follow the phone prompts, they will provide you with information about the OPTIMA battery product line, including recharging a discharged OPTIMA, sources to purchase from, and which battery will fit your specific application (red, blue or yellow).
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jun 23, 2010 at 11:39 AM.
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Optima Batteries Care
My 2003 takes a 75/25 Red Top, and as Mr.Bill mentioned, I never let the car sit for more than ten days without a float charger being put on it. I bought a charger that is specially built for the Optima Red Top and Odyssey Line of batteries. And it has not let me down even once. If you take care of the battery, it won't let you down.
If you go the the Optima website, they have vidio's of how to use and care for a Optima battery, even if you let it go completely dead, there is a way to recharge it using another battery hooked up in series and a charger hooked to the doner battery. Lots of good info. I didn't want to chance a leaking terminal on my original AC Delco battery. Their made in Mexico ! . . . but they make a good product.
If you go the the Optima website, they have vidio's of how to use and care for a Optima battery, even if you let it go completely dead, there is a way to recharge it using another battery hooked up in series and a charger hooked to the doner battery. Lots of good info. I didn't want to chance a leaking terminal on my original AC Delco battery. Their made in Mexico ! . . . but they make a good product.
Safety Car
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From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
$125 diehard gold. The optima is over rated. And just because we don't use the vette as a DD that dosn't mean its a garage queen. 
Melting Slicks
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
E-mail: info@optimabatteries.com
Toll Free: 888-8OPTIMA (888-867-8462)
Fax: 414-524-3210
I just called OPTIMA tech "Adam", at OPTIMA BATTERIES. He wasn't certain, but he thought JOHNSON CONTROLS also owns part of INTERSTATE BATTERIES, which would make business sense in that regard.
The thing that interests me is there is some kind of relationship yet it looks like they're competition. You don't see McDonalds selling Burger Kings sandwiches. Coke doesn't sell Pepsi. Hmm you do see GM Dealers selling Fords.
